Two PFMA board members with strong family histories in the supermarket business have recently retired and closed their supermarkets. Carole Bitter, owner of Friedman’s Freshmarkets, closed her remaining three stores on January 27, while Christy Spoa, owner of Ellwood City Save-A-Lot, closed his store on May 12.
Friedman’s Freshmarkets history spans 117 years and four generations. Bitter’s grandfather Jacob Friedman started selling groceries from a pushcart in 1900. He eventually owned stores in Lyndora, Pa. and in Butler’s west end and West Jefferson Street. Bitter’s father Harold Friedman was a founding member of PFMA. She followed his lead and served on the PFMA board of directors for many years. She was also very active on the boards of the Food Marketing Institute and the National Grocers Association, where she served as the first female chair.
Bitter was also the first female and the youngest supermarket manager for Stop & Shop Companies. She served in many roles for the chain before joining the family business as president in 1976.
Christy Spoa, Sr.’s father immigrated to Ellwood City from Yugoslavia as a 16-year-old. His brother operated a small store and after his untimely death, he took over the store’s operation. Spoa worked alongside his father. After two years in the army, he returned to operate the Ellwood City Save-A-Lot. Eventually three of his children joined him to work in the 101-year-old supermarket business.
Through the years, Spoa was very active in PFMA. He joined the board of directors in 1987 and served as board chairman from 1993 to 1995 and on the legislative committee. In 2004, PFMA honored him with Keystone Awards for Leadership and for Good Government.
He was also a fixture at the Food Marketing Institute, serving on its board of directors since 1983 and participating in government and public affairs. In 2002, FMI presented Spoa with the Glen Woodard award for his public affairs work. The National Grocers Association also honored him with the “Spirit of America” award for his community and public affairs efforts.
Our thanks to Carole Bitter and Christy Spoa for their support and friendship through the years. We wish them and their families all the best!
Friedman’s Freshmarkets history spans 117 years and four generations. Bitter’s grandfather Jacob Friedman started selling groceries from a pushcart in 1900. He eventually owned stores in Lyndora, Pa. and in Butler’s west end and West Jefferson Street. Bitter’s father Harold Friedman was a founding member of PFMA. She followed his lead and served on the PFMA board of directors for many years. She was also very active on the boards of the Food Marketing Institute and the National Grocers Association, where she served as the first female chair.
Bitter was also the first female and the youngest supermarket manager for Stop & Shop Companies. She served in many roles for the chain before joining the family business as president in 1976.
Christy Spoa, Sr.’s father immigrated to Ellwood City from Yugoslavia as a 16-year-old. His brother operated a small store and after his untimely death, he took over the store’s operation. Spoa worked alongside his father. After two years in the army, he returned to operate the Ellwood City Save-A-Lot. Eventually three of his children joined him to work in the 101-year-old supermarket business.
Through the years, Spoa was very active in PFMA. He joined the board of directors in 1987 and served as board chairman from 1993 to 1995 and on the legislative committee. In 2004, PFMA honored him with Keystone Awards for Leadership and for Good Government.
He was also a fixture at the Food Marketing Institute, serving on its board of directors since 1983 and participating in government and public affairs. In 2002, FMI presented Spoa with the Glen Woodard award for his public affairs work. The National Grocers Association also honored him with the “Spirit of America” award for his community and public affairs efforts.
Our thanks to Carole Bitter and Christy Spoa for their support and friendship through the years. We wish them and their families all the best!
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